Chapter 488: Threatening the Imperial Physician

She is Jiang Yun Chu, not a lady from a prestigious family; she even dislikes using her brain—if something can be settled with fists, why waste effort thinking?

"You!" Emperor Ning understood her words; his previous worry suddenly turned into a helpless smile.

"Wait for your second uncle to return, then bring Jiang Zeyang and sneak into the palace."

"It's time for an outcome to that matter from years ago."

Emperor Ning ultimately still made a decision.

Jiang Yun Chu nodded, "Understood!"

Emperor Ning looked at her, that clever and mischievous appearance, and said, "You, listen: if he's in the wrong, I won't hold back."

"I will certainly avenge your mother's grudge."

Jiang Yun Chu nodded like a chick pecking at grain, "Rest assured, I will avenge as well."

"I will let no one who harmed my mother go unpunished."

That person, in order for her to survive, concealed her constitution and prepared everything for himself.

Mother, she has always existed in my memory.

But the mother in my memory is so wonderful.

The two people sneaked out of the palace, and not long after they left, Consort Cao, dressed in a purple robe, came leisurely.

"I want to see His Majesty, you slaves—do you still dare to block me?" Consort Cao looked at the people kneeling before her, her gaze cold; those slaves, when her son ascends the throne, will be the death of these dog slaves.

Eunuch Xi kept smiling, while the other palace maids and eunuchs knelt one by one on the ground, heads lowered, not daring to look up.

"His Majesty has ordered that no one be seen."

"Consort Cao, please return first."

"I will myself report to His Majesty that Consort Cao has come." Although Eunuch Xi's face was respectful and smiling, his aura carried a hint of coldness.

Moreover, he spoke firmly, adopting an unyielding stance.

Consort Cao looked at him, but now she could do nothing to him.

"Eunuch Xi, have you thought it through? The road ahead is still uncertain!"

"Life in the palace changes day by day; Eunuch Xi, in your words and deeds, it's wise to keep a retreat for yourself."

Consort Cao fiddled with her own cinnabar, her deep purple robe making her look even more noble; her face bore a hint of nonchalance, while inside she gnashed her teeth at Eunuch Xi.

But…

For now she still cannot act against him.

I don't know what condition His Majesty is in now; whether the poison from before has truly been drawn out.

She has brought the Imperial Physician over several times, but each time this slave in front of her blocked her and sent her back.

Today, no matter what, she must see.

"I won't go in myself, but the inner palace needs to know His Majesty's health; who knows if it's eunuchs holding sway—this is holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords!"

"What does Eunuch Xi think?"

Consort Cao's words carried a threat.

Eunuch Xi lowered his head, and a flicker of dark light passed through his eyes.

As expected, His Majesty had guessed correctly; Consort Cao could endure until today, but in the end she could not hold back.

Or perhaps, the people behind her want to know the situation inside the main hall.

"Consort Cao is joking; Xiao Xizi is merely a eunuch, a slave beside His Majesty; His Majesty ordered the slave to go north, so the slave naturally dare not go west."

"Consort Cao, you had better not disturb His Majesty's rest."

The two went back and forth, neither yielding.

Consort Cao narrowed her eyes and gave a cold hum: "Today, I must enter, wouldn't I?"

The previous smile still had words.

At this moment, her purpose and true nature were finally revealed.

Eunuch Xi lifted his head, his eyes staring directly at Consort Cao.

"I, as a slave, will resist to the death according to His Majesty's orders." His voice also turned cold.

Since they have already torn apart their facades, there is no need for either of them to pretend anymore.

Consort Cao nodded, and she directly laughed angrily; for all these years she has thrived in the inner palace like a fish in water, even the empress could only share equal favor.

Over these years, her favor has not waned.

Had it not been for the Cao family's misfortune, her third prince would surely have ascended the great throne.

How dare these dog slaves speak to me like this?

"Dog slave!"

"What if the prince enters?" At that moment, a group of people came from behind and stood directly before Eunuch Xi.

And the Third Prince lifted his leg, kicking Eunuch Xi's shoulder directly; Eunuch Xi stumbled backward, his face turning somewhat pale.

"You've blinded your dog eyes, not knowing who is master and who is slave!" The Third Prince was furious, his eyes like a snake's, flashing cold light.

Consort Cao stood to the side, giving a cold snort.

"Enter."

"I, for my part, want to see who dares to block me today!"

The guards and palace maids beside Consort Cao detained Eunuch Xi and his companions, all of them outside.

Eunuch Xi rubbed his shoulder, his whole person feeling a bit low-spirited.

"Foster father, what should we do?"

Xiao Caizi supported Eunuch Xi, his face showing an anxious expression.

Eunuch Xi glanced at him, then gently shook his head; the current situation is exactly what His Majesty hoped for.

If they didn't know the situation inside, their later actions would be hesitant.

How could they still catch the mastermind?

"Imperial Physician Wang, take the Emperor's pulse." Seeing Emperor Ning for a moment, Consort Cao knew the poisoning had succeeded.

A completely black body is the most characteristic sign of the toxin.

However, she still needed to act cautiously. The Third Prince glanced at his mother consort, then at his father emperor.

The current situation doesn't allow him to think further.

That position…

It must be him.

He would never yield it to the Eldest Prince, nor to anyone else.

Emperor Ning was conscious, able to feel the Imperial Physician's pulse check; everything was within his plan.

But deep down he would still feel pain, even if the Cao family was searched, even if the Cao family was beheaded.

Yet he still did not move against Consort Cao; the companionship of his youth was something he treasured greatly.

Even if Consort Cao was domineering, even if she was spoiled, in this deep imperial palace he needed someone to accompany him.

He never imagined things would come to this.

"Your Highness, the Emperor's pulse is chaotic, he has been struck by a deadly poison, I fear…"

Imperial Physician Wang knelt on the ground, cold sweat pouring down.

The Emperor has been indisposed for a long time, not attending morning court; state affairs are also handled by several ministers.

In Consort Cao's eyes, there seemed to be a hint of a smile.

The earlier suspicions, the heart that had been clenched, finally settled at this moment.

"Alright, this consort understands."

"Imperial Physician Wang, the Emperor's health is of utmost importance; keep your mouth shut."

"This consort has heard that you, old sir, have a son; that child is fair and tender, utterly adorable."

Consort Cao gave a light smile, with no threatening intent.

But Imperial Physician Wang was so frightened he dared not rise, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his whole body seeming as if fished out of water.

"Your Highness, I will keep my lips sealed; please spare my son."